Welcome to delicious Destinations, a GourmetStation blog. Through the charater of T.Alexander and occasional real-life guests, our aim is to share with you light-hearted fun ideas about food, gift giving, entertaining and culture. At the same time we would love you hear from you. Please share your experiences from home or abroad.

Departing from Sausalito on a recent weekend trip, my traveling friend Colleen and I headed down the coast towards the beautiful Big Sur coastline. Passing the infamous Nepenthe, a famed coastal dining spot dating from 1949, it is renowned for it’s sunset dining. Nepenthe Restaurant serves lunch every day of the year from 11:30 - 4:30. They also serve dinner from 5:00 - 10:00 every day except Thanksgiving & Christmas.

Nepenthe Menu

The whole focus of the restaurant is hospitality and is based on the vision of its founders Lolly and Bill Fassett. True to their founding tradition, the family has maintained a commitment to exceptional caring service in a relaxed atmosphere. Visit Nepenthe here.

A Nepenthe Sunset…nature’s artistry..

Nepenthe sunsets are not to be missed, but on this day we were pushing further down the coast to the Post Ranch Inn. Post Ranch, is the epitome of coastal Big Sur isolation and a tranquility experience. Room rates are …how shall we say…challenging for the 99%ers, but with a little budgeting or the right stock trade, it is entirely doable for mere mortals. The key to Post Ranch Inn is to make it a lunch stop if nightly rates are not in your comfort zone. The atmosphere is wonderful…the views at its restaurant, Sierra Mar are, incomparable and the food and wine were congenial to excellent.

Dining Bluff Side

You dine 1200 ft above the crashing surf of the Pacific…and we were doubly treated in that a migrating grey whale breached not once but twice and then spouted as it continued its journey back north to the traditional feeding ground for summer. What an experience…

A Hot tub with a view…

Dodging outside, I was able to slip into the private hot tub area which is an infinity pool perched right at the edge of the cliff…soothing and relaxing with the vast expanse of the Pacific and the rhythmic sounds of the crashing waves crashing below. Visit the Post Ranch Inn website.

When you stop for lunch…make sure you have dessert… all of the selections were worth the caloric intake.

And the lodging views well…are equally outstanding! Take a look at the website…it should motivate you to make Post Ranch Inn Resort and Spa and the Sierra Mar restaurant stop in your future.

Headed further down the coast, an afternoon was spent at the Hearst Castle…again more great views and a lunch the next day in Cayucos….a wonderful coastal California Beach town. Any number of spots along the beach are the perfect place to while away an afternoon.

Haven eaten that large lunch earlier in the day in Cayucos, we opted for bar dining, but for a special treat try the bluff side dining at their premiere restaurant Miro’. As noted on their site…

Miró

On a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Miró is named for the Spanish abstract impressionist, Joan Miró (1893-1983). In this four-star restaurant, the interior reflects the vibrant colors and imagination of this acclaimed artist. Adjoining is a spacious terrace with panoramic Pacific views. Miró offers innovative New American Cuisine, with an evolving style of cooking built on classical techniques with a focus on regional ingredients. New American cuisine puts an ethnic twist on old world dishes by utilizing the finest ingredients and incorporating influences from Asia, Latin America, the Mediterranean, molecular gastronomy and fusion cuisine. The restaurant also features an artful bar and lounge area offering specialty drinks and small plates.

Bacara’s bluffside coastal sunset

You won’t be disappointed if you make Bacara a romantic getaway…rooms are spa-like luxurious and just like Nepenthe…great sunsets. We met a romantic couple on the bluff…and in just a few minutes we were snapping pictures of James and his lovely girlfriend.

Before heading back to Las Vegas the next morning...it was a short drive down to Montecito and then breakfast at Jeanine’s…which I have written about before on delicious destinations as a favorite of myself and Barb( Rhubarb Barb- for Delicious Destination readers)s followers. It has become a favorite of Colleen’s now too… Jeanine’s ….An American Bakery…check out their breakfast menu and well…tough to make a choice! http://jeannines.com/breakfast.html

Colleen enjoys a Montecito kind of morning at Jeanine’s

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